Gold Coin Worth $1,255 Dropped in Salvation Army Kettle In Reno

The one-ounce gold coin is worth $1,255, said Allen Rowe, president of Northern Nevada Coin. The coin is not particularly rare but it is literally worth its weight in gold. The Krugerrand is gold bullion.

Author:
Mike Higdon, mhigdon@rgj.com

Published:
1:08 AM EST December 17, 2017

Updated:
1:08 AM EST December 17, 2017

RENO — The Salvation Army confirmed that a gold 1979 Krugerrand coin was dropped in a kettle at a Walmart in Reno this week.

The one-ounce gold coin is worth $1,255, said Allen Rowe, president of Northern Nevada Coin. The coin is not particularly rare but it is literally worth its weight in gold. The Krugerrand is gold bullion. In the 1970s, mints produced millions of them, he said.

Last Christmas season, another gold 1979 Krugerrand coin was put into the kettle. And in 2015, two rare coins were each wrapped in $100 bills, each valued at about $550.

“I’m shocked and pleased to have this blessing in our red kettle.” Major Charles Fowler, Washoe County Salvation Army Reno corps coordinator, said in a news release. “We find unusual items in our kettles from time to time. Most have no value."